Bridge Mentorship

Founded in 2009, AIA Chicago’s Bridge mentorship program connects AIA Fellows with rising professionals in their first five to ten years of practice. It offers an eight-month curriculum of curated programs coupled with informal, one-on-one meetings between mentors and mentees.

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AIA Mentorship Program

About AIA Mentorship Program

Founded in 2009, AIA Chicago’s Bridge program connects AIA Fellows and rising professionals within their first five to ten years of practice. It offers an eight-month curriculum of curated programs coupled with informal, one-on-one meetings between mentors and mentees. The program fosters mentorship, inspires leadership, and encourages AIA members to reinterpret and evaluate the trajectory of the practice. The result is a dynamic, multi-generational network of Chicago architects who continue to learn from one another long after the program ends.

Each selected Bridge participant is paired with a local AIA Fellow acting as their mentor. The program incorporates informal social events and organized mentorship discussions focusing on past experiences, career development, and the future of the architectural profession. Throughout the program, the mentors and mentees will also meet in a one-on-one setting to informally discuss specific professional goals while further developing and strengthening their relationship.

This program intends to Bridge the gap between the need for mentorship in our profession and the ability of experienced architects to pass on what they have learned to the future generation of architects.

"Bridge has without question been the singular most important thing in my career as an architect, and I hope it can be that for each and every participant."
Carl Sergio, AIA

Ideal Applicants

Ideal applicants are architectural designers with a minimum of 3 years of post-grad work experience who are licensed or pursuing licensure. Emerging Professionals interested in participating should have proven leadership and a willingness to learn and share. AIA membership is not necessary to apply, but all selected participants must be or become AIA Chicago members.

Application

Ideal applicants are architectural designers with a minimum of 3 years of post-grad work experience who are licensed or pursuing licensure. Emerging Professionals interested in participating should have proven leadership and a willingness to learn and share. AIA membership is not necessary to apply, but all selected participants must be or become AIA Chicago members.

Bridge Mentorship Leadership

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Co-Director

Rebecca Brouk, AIA

Soucie Horner, Ltd.
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Co-Director

Rachel Killion, AIA

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Woman sitting relaxed with her feet up on a table.

Co-Director

Jessie LaFree, AIA

En Masse Architecture and Design
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Co-Director

Carl Sergio, AIA

IA Interior Architects

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